View of gravestone of Margaret Couty, 1765.

Description View of gravestone of Margaret Couty, 1765.

Date 1991

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number B 4391/12

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 795076

Scope and Content Gravestone of Margaret Couty, St Fergus's Church and Burial Ground, Glamis, Angus This shows the main sculpted face of the monument with its large winged soul (top) symbolising the soul ascending to Heaven. Its wing-tips curve below its body and cross, an unusual design which forms a heart-shape. Below the soul is a shield surrounded by stylised 'mantling' (the ribbons which surround a traditional coat of arms). The shield contains incised initials and a carved swingletrees (the harness which goes over the necks of a pair of plough horses) and the sock and coulter (the vital metal parts of the plough). Scottish gravestones feature a wealth of imagery and symbolic devices which represent trade emblems, symbols of death and resurrection, and Biblical scenes. They offer a fascinating insight into how our ancestors saw themselves and how they wanted to be remembered, as well as providing a store of information for people interested in family or local history, and folk art. This gravestone commemorates Margaret Couty, who died in 1765. It is inscribed: 'Erected by/John Nicol, Farmer/at the Mill of Arnefoul in memory of/Margaret Couty/His spouse who died 28th February 1765 aged/33, leaving four children Jean, John, Margaret/and David/Beneath this monument there lies/Of womankind a Jewel/When in her Prime, death snatchd/Without all Pity, crule'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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